The Hitachi XL3000 installation can be done really easy, we only have to connect the USB data cable to our PC/laptop and feed the enclosure power with the provided power adapter. Since the drive comes already formatted, we can transfer data right away.

In case we want to have multiple partitions on the drive, the situation becomes a little more complicated, but not impossible (I will explain here in the case we already have installed on the system Windows 7): after deleting the single 3TB partition in Disk Management, we will observe that the unallocated disk space is split in two (a 2TB part and the rest of available space in another part). If we try to create partitions, we will see that Disk Management allows us to do so only in the 2TB part, without any options for the other one. To solve this issue, we have to convert MBR (Master Boot Record) into GPT (GUID Partition Table), by right clicking the disk descriptor box (which can be labelled Disk X Basic, 2794.36GB) and by selecting Convert to GPT Disk. After this operation is done, we will be able to access and partition all disk space.

As it could be seen from the performed tests, the Hitachi XL3000 maxes out the USB 2.0 interface; it would have been nice if the enclosure had USB 3.0 instead or at least one eSATA, to speed up the transfer, because it takes a lot of time to transfer to the drive or from the drive over USB 2.0.

After some testing, I have observed that the drive heats up pretty fast if it is used intensively: during a period of one hour, the drive went up to 51 degrees Celsius, while monitored with HDD Sentinel; a little fan that could have evacuated the hot air out of the enclosure would have been very welcome. Also, I recommend to use the drive in a well ventilated place.

Regarding the sound levels, you can clearly hear the drive during the spin-up, but becomes silent when it has reached nominal speed. Also, when the drive is in seek mode, it can be heard clearly, being noisier than the Western Digital RE4-GP drive I have tested in the past, also with 7200RPM.

The product can be found in shops for about 170 Euros, a price very close to the competition (for example WD My Book Essential 3TB, but these come on USB 3.0).

I would like to thank again to Hitachi for offering me a sample of this product for review!